One of the potential game-changers in Major League Baseball is the annual late-July trade activity of quality players from teams lower in the standings with little or no chance to make the postseason. Every year, these guys are dealt to playoff-contending clubs for young prospects, supposedly stars of the future.
Recent examples include the American League West Division last-place Seattle Mariners sending Ichiro Suzuki to the AL East first-place New York Yankees for a couple of minor league pitchers, and the move of pitcher Zack Greinke from the also-ran Milwaukee Brewers to the postseason hopeful Los Angeles Angels for a rookie shortstop and a pair of minor league pitchers.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, running neck-and-neck with the San Francisco Giants in a tight National League West race, acquired veteran outfielder Shane Victorino from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for relief pitcher Josh Lindblom and a minor leaguer.